We should also bear in mind that the distinguishing
character of the Bahá’í Revelation does not solely consist in the completeness
and unquestionable validity of the Dispensation which the teachings of
Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá have established. Its excellence lies also in the
fact that those elements which in past Dispensations have, without the least
authority from their Founders, been a source of corruption and of incalculable
harm to the Faith of God, have been strictly excluded by the clear text of
Bahá’u’lláh’s writings. Those unwarranted practices, in connection with the
sacrament of baptism, of communion, of confession of sins, of asceticism, of
priestly domination, of elaborate ceremonials, of holy war and of polygamy,
have one and all been rigidly suppressed by the Pen of Bahá’u’lláh; whilst the
rigidity and rigor of certain observances, such as fasting, which are necessary
to the devotional life of the individual, have been considerably abated.
- Shoghi Effendi (From a letter dated 21 March 1930; ‘The World Order of
Baha’u’llah’)
